In 2006 Richard Holloway, then chair of the Scottish Arts Council, went on a fact-finding visit to Venezuela to look at El Sistema, where intensive classical music tuition in schools and the formation of orchestras has developed a successful track record of transforming attitudes in desperately poor and violent communities. The El Sistema model now helps thousands of children round the world. Returning to Edinburgh, convinced that Scotland must be involved, he was the key to setting up the Sistema Scotland charity in the Raploch housing estate in Stirling. Raploch was chosen not only because it was an area which would benefit, but also because it has a clear identity, an enthusiastic community and new facilities in a Community Campus allowing access for all the children.